Hemsky makes a pitch for the Oilers to sign Jagr next year
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...531/story.html
Oilers a good fit for Jagr: Hemsky
NHL team tried to make deal to bring in aging Czech superstar one year ago
By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal
Ales Hemsky began rattling off the criteria that his Czech countryman Jaromir Jagr might require should he return to the National Hockey League. For starters, he would want to play for a coach he knew, and he would want to play on a younger team, all of which happens to point to the Edmonton Oilers.
Coincidence? Hemsky thinks not.
"I don't know how he feels now, after the (Olympic) tournament, but I think after he's had some time he will want to come back for one or two years. He can still play on a small rink," said Hemsky, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.
"I think he would come here ... but that's just speculation."
The 38-year-old Jagr is in the final year of his contract with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League and has told Hemsky he is contemplating a return to the NHL, where he racked up 1,599 points in 1,273 games. The question, of course, is what direction the Oilers will take in the off-season. They would have to make room on the roster and within the salary cap and they would have to decide if they want to add an aged player to their rebuilding program.
"I think he can still play," said Hemsky. "He's not like he was but he can still be a difference maker.
"He's a superstar. Just to have him on the team is good for everybody. He's a guy who can do 70 points. We don't have guys who can do 70 points."
The Oilers had reportedly cooked up an arrangement with Omsk last spring that would have seen Jagr in Edmonton colours if Avangard did not make the playoffs. In the summer of 2008, the Oilers tried to sign him to a one-year $7-million contract but he instead signed a two year, $10-million contract with Omsk.
Jagr told CBC Sports during the 2009 world championships that the Oilers efforts had not gone unnoticed.
"I was excited when I heard that Edmonton pushed pretty hard to get me and I really appreciate it," Jagr said at the time. "And if I ever go (to the NHL) they would be my No. 1 pick because they showed interest in me first.
"I will never forget that and I respect that. They would be my first pick."
Jagr played for Oilers associate head coach Tom Renney when he was with the New York Rangers.
"He doesn't have to have the role he used to have but he has to feel comfortable," Hemsky said.
Oilers a good fit for Jagr: Hemsky
NHL team tried to make deal to bring in aging Czech superstar one year ago
By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal
Ales Hemsky began rattling off the criteria that his Czech countryman Jaromir Jagr might require should he return to the National Hockey League. For starters, he would want to play for a coach he knew, and he would want to play on a younger team, all of which happens to point to the Edmonton Oilers.
Coincidence? Hemsky thinks not.
"I don't know how he feels now, after the (Olympic) tournament, but I think after he's had some time he will want to come back for one or two years. He can still play on a small rink," said Hemsky, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.
"I think he would come here ... but that's just speculation."
The 38-year-old Jagr is in the final year of his contract with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League and has told Hemsky he is contemplating a return to the NHL, where he racked up 1,599 points in 1,273 games. The question, of course, is what direction the Oilers will take in the off-season. They would have to make room on the roster and within the salary cap and they would have to decide if they want to add an aged player to their rebuilding program.
"I think he can still play," said Hemsky. "He's not like he was but he can still be a difference maker.
"He's a superstar. Just to have him on the team is good for everybody. He's a guy who can do 70 points. We don't have guys who can do 70 points."
The Oilers had reportedly cooked up an arrangement with Omsk last spring that would have seen Jagr in Edmonton colours if Avangard did not make the playoffs. In the summer of 2008, the Oilers tried to sign him to a one-year $7-million contract but he instead signed a two year, $10-million contract with Omsk.
Jagr told CBC Sports during the 2009 world championships that the Oilers efforts had not gone unnoticed.
"I was excited when I heard that Edmonton pushed pretty hard to get me and I really appreciate it," Jagr said at the time. "And if I ever go (to the NHL) they would be my No. 1 pick because they showed interest in me first.
"I will never forget that and I respect that. They would be my first pick."
Jagr played for Oilers associate head coach Tom Renney when he was with the New York Rangers.
"He doesn't have to have the role he used to have but he has to feel comfortable," Hemsky said.
Comment